I'm religious about getting my annual mammogram. That's because I have a history of fibrocystic disease and in my 20s had a fibroadenoma (benign tumor) removed from my right breast. Every year, I worry that something not so benign will show up and every year I sigh with relief when I get a letter saying everything is normal. Not this year. Instead, I got a phone call from the Mammography Department at Mercy Hospital. The radiologist wanted me to come back for additional views. My heart sank. The diagnosis turned out to be DCIS, something I had never heard of before. I've discovered that neither do a lot of other people, so I decided to share my story on my Catching Health blog. Go to the blog ...

Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, personal care products, flame retardants, detergents and new types of herbicides and pesticides. What do these items have in common? They’re all emerging contaminants that have detected at trace levels in drinking water.

Fran Paris, who is 79, has a balance problem and tries to keep herself steady so that she doesn’t fall. When she noticed that Woodford’s Congregational Church was offering a Fall Risk Screening Event to help people learn more about their risks, she hightailed it over there. Read what Fran learned about her risks ...

Is every night a bedtime battle with your child? Check out the Catching Health calendar to find out about an upcoming event at the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center with infant and child sleep consultant Jessica Begley. Discover other health events in Maine and/or submit your own event — visit the Catching Health with Diane Atwood blog.

Not too long ago a friend of mine was diagnosed with mononucleosis (mono). When I hear that someone has mono, I think teenager. My friend may be so in spirit, but in reality she is a grandmother. Read more ...